Strip serving apparatus



March 24, 1936.

I R. w. PHILLIPS 2,035,373

STRIP SERVING APPARATUS Filed April '7, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l R. W.PHILLIPS 2,035,373

STRIP SERVING APPARATUS March 24, 1936.

Filed April '7, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. W. PHILLIPS 2,035,373

STRIP SERVING APPARATUS March 24, 1936'.

Filed April '7, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 24, 1936. I R.' W, p||||||r= 2,035,373

STRIP SERVING APPARATUS Filed April 7, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /eg aEig-11 06 Inveor: Y usseZZ 9M? MTW y@ March 24, 19364 R. W. PHILLIPSSTRIP SERVING APPARATUS Filed April '7,' 1932 5 sheets-*sheet 5 m 0 m a61. @FQ oo mm Patented Mar. 24, 1936 UNIE!) STATES PATENT FFICE signor,by

mesne assignments, to Nashua Gummed & Coated Paper Company, Nashua, N.H., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 7, 1932, Serial No.603,777

5 Claims.

My present invention relates to apparatus for moistening, or moisteningand serving or delivering stripmaterial, such as adhesive or gummed tapeand labels, particularly in connection with packaging, labeling and thelike, and aims to provide simplified, inexpensive and otherwise improvedmeans of the class referred to. As to all common subject matter, thisapplication is a continuation in part of my co-pending applicationsSerial No. 451,773, filed May 12, 1930, now Patent No. 1,959,293, datedMay 15, 1934, and Serial No. 526,659, filed March 31, 1931, now PatentNo. 1,959,294, dated May 15, 1934. The claims of the present applicationare directed to the moistening means per se or novel combinationsthereof with other elements in strip serving or moistening mechanism.Claims to other novel subject matter herein illustrated and disclosed,including features other than moistening, are contained in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 603,778, iiled' April 7, 1932, now Patent No.1,958,443, dated May 15, 1934.

In the drawings, illustrating, byway of example, certain embodimentsy ofthe invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a strip server in. accordance with one form ofthe invention, it being shown supported in operative position as upon astore counter, table, wall or the like;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation'of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device of Figs. 1and 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, on a larger scale, illustrating. amodified form of strip delivering and moistening means;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 but showing a further modified formfor the delivery end of the strip server including a moistening means;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section, looking toward the right in Fig. 6,illustrating a stop means which may be employed in the device of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and' 9 are elevations of modified forms of tape supportingrollers;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional detail View of adjusting means usefulv withthe moistening mechanism of Figs. 6 and 7;

Figs. 11 to 19 illustrate different embodiments of the inventionincluding various features which may be employed in connection with theforms of the preceding figures. In said Figs. 11 to 19,

Fig. 11 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation ofthe device of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

(Cl. S31-14.5)

Fig. 14 is a rear or left end elevation of the device of Figs. 11 and12, upon a larger scale;

Fig. 1-5 is a plan, on the scale of Fig. 14, corresponding to the rightportion of Fig. 11, but with the severing device removed to display theunderlying parts;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation showing moistening. means in accordance withone form of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of portions of a modied form of moisteningmeans also embodying the invention;

Fig. 18A isa side elevation of a brush moistener element useful inconnection with any of the figures; and

Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-section on the line |9-l9 of Fig. 15.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 to 4, the illustrative embodiment of theinvention as there shown is particularly adapted for use Where the spaceavailable is limited horizontally, as for example on store counters,tables, shelves, or in other confined areas, such as the narrow aislesor inside counter spaces of certain chain stores.

f Accordingly the device as a-whole isconstructed and arranged to haveits major extent vertically, and means is desirably provided forsupporting or suspending the device in such position, asupon the edgeportion of a counter, shelf, table or the like, or upon a Wall, or thedevice may be sunk into the horizontal top of a counter or the like.

As herein illustrated, the device comprises a housing or containerincluding side walls or upright members I connected at their lower partsby cross pieces or flooring 2, and at their upper ends by a top wall orplatform 3, providing a feed table, these parts preferably being formedof one or more pieces of sheet metal, stamped or otherwise fashioned.The side walls I may be cross-connected at other points, as by the frontcross member 4, Fig. 3. At the rear, that is, at the left in Figs. 1 to3, the described housing or receptacle is open or openable forthe'insertion and removal of the strip supply in the form of a roll S,the described parts providing a well for the latter.

Suitable means for supporting the roll S in position to be drawn upon isprovided, in this instance including a roller 5 rotatably carried, as at6, on the side Walls of the housing. 'Ihe strip supply or roll S restsby gravity upon this roller, and its axis is retained in a givenvertical plane with respect to the supporting roller as by means of aoating spindle 'l seen in elevation in Fig 4. At points spaced the widthof the container, the spindle 'I is provided with noncircular flattenedor reduced portions 8 and 9 adapted to be received in vertical slotsID-III in the respective container side walls I. At the upper ends ofthese slots are the enlarged portions or eyes I I, at least equalling indiameter that of the spindle, so that the latter may be entered throughthe eyes and through the core of the roll S, bringing the non-circularportions 8 and 9 of the spindle into the plane of the side Walls I andin alignment with the guide slots.

'I'he spindle desirably has a head I 2 for convenience in manipulatingit. Once the spindle is inserted with a roll upon it, and its reducedportions have been engaged in the slots, the spindle is held againstunintentional withdrawal and is guided for vertical movement. 'Ihe rolland spindle thus in effect float upon the under roller 5;

while the roll S is permitted to turn readily upon the spindle. The tapeor strip is preferably drawn off from the under face of the supportedroll, and to the rear, as indicated at T in Fig. 2, in which case thedescribed roll supporting and guiding means automatically aords abraking action upon the roll, preventing undesirable overrunning of thelatter, by reason of the frictional resistance resulting from the weightof the roll and spindle upon the roller 5. The roll S is thus in effectself-braking. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the tape in the roll S is assumedto be wound gummed side in. Should the tape be wound gummed side out, itmay be led 01T in the opposite direction at the bottom of the roll, thatis, to the right, and reversed back around the roller 5, or it may betaken olf at the top of the roll, directly to the left. l

The tape or strip T is directed upwardly from the supply over a guideroll I3 journaled in the container sides, and thence forwardly over thetop wall or platform 3, through a receiving and guiding throat providedby the latter and by the opposed inwardly extending longitudinalflanges, throat sides or strip members I4-I4 on the housing. The throatis preferably equipped with a longitudinally extending tape arching andfriction reducing means or rib-like element I4a, which, together withthe throat structure as a whole may be similar to that disclosed andclaimed in my above-mentioned co-pending applications. The strip or tapeis fed through the throat by the operator by placing4 one or morefingers upon it at the selected point on its upper face exposed betweenthe throat sides and moving his hand along the throat toward thedelivery end.

At or near the front end of the feed throat means is provided forcutting off the tape. The container top wall or platform 3 is continuedforwardly beyond the throat sides I4. The container sides are extendedupwardly or otherwise formed with projections or ears I5-I5 carrying across-bar or pin I6. Hinged on the latter, as at I'I, is a forwardly anddownwardly extending guide plate or strip depressor I8, having its frontend substantially in a vertical plane with a cross slot I 9 in the feedtable or platform 3.

A tape severing blade or knife 20 is adapted to be moved across the pathof the tape and downwardly through said slot, to sever the strip. Thisblade is attached as at 2I to an actuator 22 which may begenerallysirnilar to that of my said copending application Serial No.526,659, being positioned for operation by a continuation of theoperators strip-feeding ringer movement, in the course of a singleuninterrupted and substantially uni-planular down-bearing forwardmovement of the latters fingers or hand. In the present instance thecutter actuator 22 is reinforced and guided by side flanges 23, the rearportions of which stand atwise adjacent, and herein outside, the earsI5, and receive the cross-pin IB,

whereby the actuator is rotatably supported. The actuator and blade arenormally held in up Y position, substantially as in Figs. 2 and 3, bysuitable spring means, herein including the spring 24 of general Ushape, the forward yoke portion of which underlies an intermediateportion of the actuator. The two legs of the spring extend rearwardly,beneath studs 25 on the housing ears I5, and are turned about andsupported on the cross pin I6 previously mentioned. The rear end ofthecutter actuator 22 has a downwardly extending tail 26 adapted to abutthe tops of the side strips I4 of the throat, or other adjacentstationary part, thereby to limit the upward movement of the actuator.

In advance of the cutting-off point the strip is conducted up to andacross the moistening means to be described, being guided across thefront end of the feed table or platform 3, between the latter and a topguide 27 which forms in eiect a continuation of the feed throat. Thisguide may be generally similar to that disclosed and claimed in my saidco-pending application, being preferably in the form of a removablecliplike member Y having down-turned feet 28 equipped with springdetents 2S adapted to snap into openings or depressions in the housingwalls.

For moistening the strip I have provided means including a reservoir ortank 3i] having an enclosed rear portion 3| and a somewhat higher frontportion 32. The reservoir is operatively supported between the frontparts of the side frames I and upon a. cross-member` 33 extendingbetween the latter, where it is removably retained as by a spring member34 having a finger piece 35 whereby it may conveniently be depressed torelease the reservoir. The front wall of the reservoir is turned overrearwardly and downwardly to form an angular lip 36, and the front edgeof the top wall of the lower portion of the reservoir is extendedangularly upwardly as at 3'! in substantial parallelism with said lip,leaving a transverse opening between them.

'I'he moistening element proper is illustrated as a wick or brush 38;see particularly Fig. 3. The brush itself may consist of a multiplicityof bristles or hairs set into a suitable anchoring composition, asindicated at 38a. held in the clip-like lower portion 39 of thebristle-supporting plate or support 40. This latter desirably extendssubstantially the full length of the bristles, to support and alignthese practically to their extreme free ends. The brush and itssupporting plate 4Q are received between the previously describedparallel lip portions 36, 3'I of the reservoir, which assist inpositioning the brush moistener and in retaining it in substantially theforwardly inclined angular position as illustrated. It will be notedthat the rea-r flange or lip 31 is adapted to contact the upper sideface of the group of bristles, confining and guiding them, and to acertain extent limiting the quantity of moisture which will be conductedupwardly by capillary action.

'Ihe brush may further be positively located as by means of hook-likedown-turned fingers 4I, 42 at the front end of the bristle-support 45.The inner finger 4I is adapted to set down through an It is removably Iappropriate opening in` the irontv lip` 36? of the reservoir, while theouter 1in-gerer fingers 4&2 en` tend down over the reservoir front wall.

It will' be noted that in accordance with the described constructionlthe reservoir, brush and brush-support may be removed bodily asF a.unit, or the brush element, including the brush and thebristle-supporting plate 40, maybe removed?? while leaving the reservoirin place. Directv aecess to the brush may be had merely by removing thefront guide 2T. The latter includes the forwardly and upwardlyprojecting porti-'on 2"!-al directly overlying the outer endof the brushand' serving to confine and direct the free end'sof the bristles toinsure proper moistening engagement between the lower face of the tapeand' thezbrush, as the tape is passed forwardly over the latter. frontelement or clip 2T, 21e thus may here-- in directly cooperate withandconstitute an element of the feed means, the severing means, and themoistening mechanism. .It partly provides the blade-guiding front wallof the cutting slot, and assists to pressA the moving blade into propercutting positio-n. If desired the 'Vfore edge of'thi's element 2'I-2'lamay be made to serve as: a stationary knife or severing element, againstwhich the strip may be deflected andi cut or torn off, being for thatpurposeserrated or otherwise formed.

In some instances, and'- particul'arly where the device is intended forhandling only strips of minimum width, the supporting under vrollt forthe strip supply may be cylindrical, as illus-I trated in Figs. l to 4".In other instances, more particularly when the device is of a widthadapt-- ing it to dispense strips of greater than minimumv width, or inany case, the under roll may have either of the forms as illustrated inFigs. 8i and. 9'. In Fig. 8, for example, the peripheral. surface of theroller 5a is concaved, thek roller being' of greater diameter at itsends 5h and of decreasing diameter toward its centralportion. By reasonof this construction' tape rolls oi" different widths will' be centeredand guided automatically by the supporting roller.

In the further' modified form of bearing roller shown in Fig.. 9, theroller, indicatedA as a whole by the numeral 5, includes a main rollerportion 5d of a width to receive a given minimum width tape, forexample, 11/2" or 2". At the endsv of this main roller portion arecooperating stepped portions 5e, 5e, 5f, 5f, respectively spaced toreceive and center wider rolls, for example, 21/2'" and 3". It will beunderstoodv that rollers such as those of Figs. 8 and, 9. may beemployed in connection with the device of Figs. 1i to 41, with a similarself-braking action as previously referred to.

As stated, the strip server of Figs.. l tov t is particularlyconstructed and arranged for snspension, or lateral support, in avertical position. To this end means is provided whereby the de- Vicemay be so operatively positioned'v adjacent a vertical face of acounter, table; wall or the like, indicated at C in Figs. I and 4. Suchmeans in this instance includes one or more. bayonet. slots 44, 45, inone or both side walls of the housing. These bayonet slots are adaptedto cooperate with buttons 46 of a bracket or like device 41` to besecured` as by screws to the counter C or other part upon which thedevice is to bev hung. Said bracket is herein illustrated as of generalT- shape, including a leg 48 havingv a lateral foot 49 at its lower endwhich is adapted to underlie and support the bottom of the housing whenthe buttons are in' locked position in the respective bayonet slots; Ifmore than one such slot is used at either side wallf, two of the slotsin a given wall preferably are arranged. substantially at right anglesto' each other, as. shown in- Figs, 2 and 3,

whereby` the device is held against unintentional displacement bothvertically and horizontally. Whensoarranged, asin Figs. 2 and 3, thedevice as a whole is readily removed from its suspended or operatingposition as there shown. by rocking it slightly upward at its front orright hand end, about the button in the horizontal slot 44 as a pivot.The vertical slot 45 may then be withdrawn from its button, whereuponthe device may be shifted rearwardly or to the left in Figs. ZandBsumciently to free the horizontal slot 44 from its` cooperating button.By supplying similar attaching means such as the describedbayonet. slotsat both sides of the device, it may be selectively supported at eitherside, to deliver the tape in the desired" direction.

Referring now to- Fig. 5, I have there shown a modified form ofmoistening means and associated parts, the same being illustrated inconnectionwith the strip server shown and described in my saidcol-pending applica-tion Serial No. 451,773. It will be understood,however, that the moistening means is equally applicable to variousconstructions of strip server, including that of Figs. 1 tof4 herein.The illustrated stripserving device includes a base 5! and side walls,one oif'whiclr is indicated at 52, these being connected' by a crossstrap seen in section at 53. The moistening means includes a reservoir56' received on the base 5I between the framev sides 52 and positionedasby a rear stop 5l'. In oonjunction therewith I have illustrated novelmeans for supporting a capillary-feed or brush moistener 58', inimprovedcooperative relation with the strip to be moistened. As in Figs. l to 4,the moistening element operates at a relatively7 small angle with thehorizontal, Vapproximately 45 as shown. Heretofore in this type ofmoistener, the capillary feed element or brush has stood substantiallyerect, with the free ends of its hairs or bristles projecting above thereservoir, approximately perpendicular to the path of the tape or at arelatively great angle with respect to it, and the bristles or hairshave been unsupported over considerable portions oi their length and attheir extremities. As a result they soon became objectionably deformedand inefhcient. As in the moistening means of Figs. l to 4 previouslyVdescribed, the moistening element of Fig. 5- is so arranged that themoisture-conveying fibers or hairs of the brush 58 remain substantiallystraight, being held against objectionable flexing at their free endsvor elsewhere. For this purpose the front wall 59 of the reservoir isextended inwardlyl and downwardlyas at 59a, at a relatively small anglewith respect to the path of the tape or to the horizontal, atapproximately 45 orless as shown. In substantial continuation of thisinclined portion 59ar is a hat brush rest 6E! in which the moistener isremovably but rrnly held' as by the reversel'y extending clamp or holder60a. Thisl brush support as a whole is in this instance verticallymovable, being movably associated with the reservoir as by the pivot 6I,and being yieldingly urged upwardly by suitable spring' meansillustrated as a curved spring lingerY 62 anchored at one end in thereservoir. The reservoir and brush are removable as a unit as by means'of the nger piece 63.

Referring still to Fig. 5, the strip or tape T coming from the supply ispassed across the brush along a path approaching parallelism with thehairs or bristles of the latter. Cooperating with the brush is anoverlying plate or guide 64, in this instance illustrated as a fixedelement or guide member having an up-turned rear edge 64a beneath whichthe tape is received. This plate serves to guide the tape to and acrossthe moistener in proper moistening relation with the latter, incooperation with the spring 62.

Provision may be made for adjusting the positionof this plate or guide64, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

Referring to Fig. 10, the guide, plateor depressor 64EL is pivotallysupported as at 65 between the side frames and has attached to it anupright post 66 which extends loosely through l ears 61 on a lug 68rotatably held in the adjacent side frame. On this post there isadjustably threaded a nut 69lying between the ears 61. By turning thisnut the guide element or plate 64a may be shifted t0 adjust its relationto the moistener, whereupon the plate will be held fixed in the selectedposition. The means of Fig. 10 is applicable to the strip serving deviceof Figs. 1 to 4 as well as that of Fig. 5, or in other instances wheresimilar moistening means are employed.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated a still further form of moisteningmechanism of general use in connection with strip serving devices of theclass described, the device shown in said figures, for illustrativepurposes, being that of my previously mentioned co-pending applicationSerial No. 526,659.

Referring to said Figs. 6 and 7, the strip server again includes ahousing of which one side wall is seen at 10. The tape T is deliveredthrough a feed throat to and past a guiding device including a movableblade '|2 and a pivoted operating member '|3, and thence up to andacross the moistening means. A reservoir or tank 14 including anenclosed rear part 15 and a front portion '|6, is received between thesides of the housing, where it is removably held as by a spring latchThe front end of this latch is upturned as at 18 to form an abutment orpositioning element and guide at the front of the reservoir, but may bedepressed as by its knob or finger piece 19 to release the reservoir forwithdrawal.

The moistening element proper is in the form of a Wick or brush set in asuitable composition to provide a butt 8|. It is removably held in theclip-like lower portion 82 of the inclined bristlesupporting plate orsupport 83 which may be generally similar to that of Figs. 1 to 4,including the positioning fingers or flanges 86 and 85 adapted to lieover and at opposite sides of the upper edge of the reservoir frontwall. As in Figs. l to 4, the moistening unit, including the brush andits support, is bodily removable from the reservoir, or the reservoirwith the contained moistener may itself be removed as a unit.

In the form of Figs. 6 and 7, the reservoir, containing the brush andthe other parts previously mentioned, is itself bodily movablevertically, so that the moistening element or brush may be yieldinglyurged upwardly against the under face of the strip to be moistened. Forthis purpose any suitable spring means may be employed and I have hereinshown one or more leaf springs 81 beneath the reservoir and preferablybut not necessarily secured to it. VWhether or not secured to thereservoir these springs rest on under supporting means herein includinga front cross upright members strip 88 extending between the housingside frames, and a supplemental and generally similar cross strip 89having an upturned portion 90 which serves as a rear stop for thereservoir and, together with the flange 18 of the latch '11, as a guidefor its vertical movement.

In cooperation with the reservoir I preferably provide means foraccurately determining the vertical position of the reservoir and itsbrush, and which may also serve to adjust the position of the brush asthe latter becomes worn, and for other purposes, such as to control thetension upon the reservoir-supporting spring means. For this purpose Ihave in Figs. 6 and 7 shown an adjustable stop 9| adapted to engage overthe top or other part of the reservoir in the manner clearly seen inFig. 7. This stop carries a pin 92 which is vertically movable in a slot93 in the adjacent side frame. A clamping nut 94 is threaded on theouter end of said pin. By releasing the clamping nut, the stop may beadjusted so as to vary the position of the reservoir and brush asdesired and to control the tension upon the spring means. If desired,similar stops may be employed at both sides of the strip server. It willbe noted that in addition to the novel features mentioned, the describedmoistening means cooperates with the associated elements in novelcombination, to effect the delivery of moistened lengths of the tapematerial.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 15, the strip serving apparatus thereillustrated is a combined or convertible counter or aisle form, adaptedfor use either in standing position upon a counter, table or the like,or in suspended position in a store aisle, upon a wall, at the edge of acounter or like locations. In respects not otherwise mentioned theconstruction may be substantially the same as in the preceding figures.

In said Figs. 11 to 15, the frame or housing of the strip serverincludes the side frames or |00 interconnected at their lower portionsas by the cross strips |0|, |02, |053, and at their intermediate andupper portions by the floor, top wall or platform |04 constituting thebottom of the tape guide channel or feed throat, and being preferably ofthe ribbed construction |14a generally similar to that of the top wallor platform 3 of Figs. 1 to 4. Inwardly projecting flanges |05,generally similar to the f members I4, |4 of the preceding figures,serve to confine the side portions of the strip or tape and furnish afeed slot between them for feeding access to the tape.

At the forward end of the feed channel is a tape severing blade, cutteror knife |06 having a finger or hand-engaging portion or actuator |01 ofgenerally similar construction as in the preceding figures. The knifeand actuator are pivotally supported as by a sleeve |013, Fig. 15, atthe rear of the actuator received on a pin |08 held in ears |09 upon therespective side frames |00. A slot ||0, Fig. 11, in the feed platform|04 permits the blade |06 to be depressed to sever the tape. The bladeand its actuator are normally elevated by a suitable spring of generalU-shape, having its ends turned about the knife pivot pin |08.

As best seen in Figs. 15 and 19, the cutter lever or actuator |01,together with the blade |06, are constructed and arranged for readydismounting. This is effected merely by forcing out the pivot pin |08,axially, the latter being normally releasably held in assembled positionby the spring For that purpose one or more annular grooves I I2 areformed 4in the pin |08, disposed to receive the end or other portions ofsaid spring, as indicated at I IIa in Fig. 19. `While the pin and cutterare thus -rmly held in place, the cutter may quickly be removed lforsharpening, replacement, or to afford access to underlying parts.

The tape or adhesive strip supply iri roll form is received in positionto be drawn upon, between the side frames of the housing, as indicatedat S. The roll S has a floating support upon a roller 5g as in theprevious figures, and the axis of the tape roll is confined to a givenpath, as the tape roll S decreases in size, Vby means of the slotformations I0a in the opposite side frames. Said slot formations haveenlarged portions IIa for entrance of a spindle `|a Yhaving a head |22Land reduced guide portions whereby it is retained against unintentionalwithdrawal, as previously described.

In Fig. 12 the tape `roll S is assumed to be wound with the adhesiveface of the tape outside, the tape passing upwardly from the rollsupply, as indicated at T, over an upper guide roll |3a journaled on themachine frame, thence through the feed channel |04, |05, past vthecutter |106 and the moistening means, to be described, for delivery asindicated by the full line T 'at the right in Fig. 12.

The interior of the housing :or tape well desirably is closed at therear or left endfas viewed in Figs. 11 and 12. For this purpose I haveillustrated a rear cover plate |I3 pivotally lsupported on the sideframes near the bottom of the latter, as at II4, and extending upwardlysubstantially to the guide roll I3a. The upper end of the cover |`I3 maybe recessed or otherwise formed as at II5, Fig. 11, for engagement ofthe operators finger to open it against the closing tension of asuitable spring IIS, herein supported on the cover pivot I I4.

It will be observed that the tape roll supporting means, the feedchannel and guides, and the tape severing means are similarlycooperatively disposed as in the preceding figures, but with the .feedchannel somewhat downwardly and forwardly inclined. As in the form ofFigs. 1 to 10, the tape may be engaged by the operators finger at anydesired point along the chan-nel |04., |05, and is fed out past thesevering andthe moistening means by forward down-bearing movement of theoperators finger or hand along an uninterrupted substantiallyuni-planular path, the feeding, moistening and severing operationsvbeing effected in the course of this single co-ntinuous manualoperation.

In accordance with my invention the strip -server of Figs. 11 to 15 isconstructed-and .arranged for use either as a counter or table device,either upon a horizontal supporting surface, or as a suspended device asdescribed in connection with Figs. 1 to 4. Further, `when used insuspended position, as in a store aisle, it maybe supported so as toface and feed in either direction. Accordingly I have provided, at eachside of the strip server, suspending formations for cooperation withsuspension means lupon the counter, wall or other part upon which thedevice is to be mounted. As best seen in Fig. 12, such suspensionformations, as herein illustrated, comprise a series of key-hole slotsII-'|, I|8 and 4I I0,-on each of the side frames |00. The longitudinalcenter lines of two of these slots, herein IIB and I-I9, are -disposedsubstantially along arcs drawn from acentral point I ||EL at the closedend of the other slot III as a center. A bracket I 20 is provided forattachment, as by means of screws -|-2I, to the counter or the like C,Fig. 11. The bracket carries laterally projecting studs I 22, |23, |24located .to correspond with the positions of the key-hole slots II'I,IIB, |I9.

In attaching the lstrip server the stud |22 is first entered into thelarger end of the slot II'I, and the strip server is then movedforwardly to `bring the stud into the narrower portion of said slotII'I. With the front portion of the device slightly elevated about thestud |22 as a pivot, -the `studs v|23 and |24 may then be entered intothe larger portions `of their corresponding slots IIS and i E9,whereupon the forward portion of the strip server may be dropped downinto its operative supported position as in Fig. 12. Subsequent removalof the strip server is readily eifectedby a reverse procedure.Preferably, similar and correspondingly arranged key-hole slots areprovided in each side frame, whereby the strip server may be mountedwith its left side face adjacent the bracket, -to deliver tape towardnthe right, as in Fig. 12, or with its right side face adjacent thebracket, to deliver the tape in the opposite direction. It will beunderstood that the slots and studs may be interchanged, as to theelement on which they are provided, and -that the demountable suspensionmeans may otherwise be widely varied in construction. A

To adapt the described strip server for use as a counter type I mayprovide detachable base elements or supporting means, Ashown inassembled position in Fig. 14. Herein for the .purpose I have employed,as one convenient form, a yokelike strap Vor cross bar |25 having anupstanding central .portion or' shoulder |26 dimensioned for receptionbetween the side f-rames |00, to which it may be removably secured as bymeans of the screws cor the like |21 received in apertures |28,

ksee Fig. 12, in the adjacent portions of the side frames. The outwardlyprojecting portions of this strap |25, at the two sides Iof the stripserver,

preferably carry rubber-tipped or other `supporting feet |29.Any-desired .number of such straps and feet may be provided, dispositionfor two of Athem being indicated in Fig. 12, at the Yopposite ends ofthe device as a whole, by means of the screw apertures |28. Obviouslyone or more -of the described Vdetachable base elements may have thefeet centrally or otherwise arranged, or the feet may be dispensed with.Also within the scope of my invention the `side frames may themselves-be interchangeable, some having Vsuspension means and others `providedwith base elements, for use selectively in the vmachine as a Whole.

- The tape moistening means, as well as Athe strip supply holding means,the feed provisions and the severing means already described may besimilar in Figs. .1:1 to 15 as in any of the preceding gures, but asillustrated in Figs. 11 to 19 vthe moistening 4means and associatedparts of the responding aperture in the detent 34B serves to limit thedown movement of the latter. A filling lip |32 may be provided at thefront of the reservoir. The side frames |00 may be recessed as at |30ato afford a grip on the reservoir for inserting or removing it. -Asindicated at |30h a portion of the reservoir top wall is extendedangularly upwardly and forwardly, similarly as the part 31 of Figs. 1-4,and is adapted to contact transversely the upper side face of the groupof bristles of the brush |33 to be described, confining or compactingand guiding them, and to a certain extent limiting the quantity ofmoisture which will be conducted upwardly by capillary action.

The moistening means further includes a brush |33 illustrated separatelyin Fig. 18. The brush comprises a multiplicity of bristles or hairs setinto a suitable anchoring composition as at |34. The brush is adapted tobe disposed with its lower portion in the reservoir and the free ends ofits hairs or bristles projecting from it, but in the markedly forwardlyinclined position, at an angle desirably substantially not greater than45 degrees with the horizontal, as described in connection with theprevious gures. In this instance the brush is provided with unitary orself-contained supporting means for retaining it at the describedoperating angle.

As best seen in Fig. 18, this means comprises a supporting strip orplate |35 formed with a cliplike lower portion |36 in which the butt |34of the brush is removably but firmly held. The supporting plate |35extends upwardly and forwardly along the under face of the brush forsubstantially its entire length and at its front end is provided with anintegral or other rest or foot |31. One or more lips I 38 may beprovided at the fore part of the described brush unit, as by turningover the upper edge of the foot |31, or a portion thereof, such lip orlips being adapted to engage over the top of the front wall of thereservoir. y

It will be noted that the described brush unit is a self-supportingdevice, the base of the foot and of the clip |36 being adapted to reston the oor of the reservoir, and always holding the brush in the desiredoperative position. Hence the brush cannot slip down into the reservoir,even though the operator should merely drop it Vinto the latter withouttaking the slight care between ears or upward extensions 4| on the sideframes 100. These ears are formed with bearing apertures or slots |42for reception of the roller journal or bearings |43. Thus thebrush-cooperative roller is supported on the frame of the strip serverin position for either fixed or vertically movable moisteningcooperation with the brush when the latter is in operative position.Rearwardly of the roller |40 is a guide clip |44 having side portionsholding it resiliently in position overlying the lower portion of thefeed channel, in a manner generally similar to the element 21 of Figs. 1to 3. In the present instance the clip 7l |44 is elongated to extendfrom a point rearwardly of the cutter |06, past the latter andsubstantially up to the moistener roller |40, so as to overlie andaccurately guide the tape up to and between the latter and the brush. Aslot |45, Fig. 11, is formed in the clip, in line with the underlyingslot ||0 in the platform itself, for the down passage of the knife |06.

In a modification as illustrated in Fig. 16, the moistening roll |40a ismounted upon the removable reservoir, as an element thereof. In thisinstance, referring to said Fig. 16, the reservoir side walls are formedwith ears or projections 46 having apertures or slots |41 for thebearings |43a of the roll. This construction, wherein the roll remainsin operative association with the reservoir, whether or not the latteris in place in the machine, has been found desirable in some instances,particularly where a plurality of reservoirs are provided in connectionwith any given strip server, whereby the same roll and brush arecontinuously employed as a couple.

In a further embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 17, the overlying tapebridge or guide member |44e, corresponding to the element |44 of Fig.12, is formed with a rear extension |48 including an eye |49 wherebythis guide may be hingedly related to the machine frame, as by receptionupon the knife pivot pin |08. In this instance a moistener-roller |40bis supported upon the guide element, |44a, the latter being formed withup-set members or ears |50 having the bearing apertures or slots |5| forthe bearings |52 of said roller |401. Here again the roll is supportedupon the machine as a whole but may be bodily elevated to afford readyaccess to the brush. This construction, as well as the others described,permits of substantially uninterrupted guiding of the tape fully to themoistening point. The guide element or clip |44a carrying the roll maybe resiliently held in position, similarly as the element 44 of Fig. 12,with or without pivotal or other connection, if preferred.

Claims for the moistening means or couple comprising a brush andcooperating roller means, per se and in combination with strip servingAmechanism but irrespective of the particular lform of brush support orpositioning means, are

contained in a copending divisional application, Serial Number 57,587,led Jan. 4, 1936.

My invention is not limited to the particular illustrative embodimentsherein shown and described, its scope being set forth in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a strip moistening mechanism, in combination with a reservoir andits support, a brush moistener, and a brush support receivable in andbodily removable from the reservoir, said reservoir being elongated inthe direction of strip movement to permit a markedly inclined posi-.tioning of the brush, and said brush support having a lower, clipportion to hold the butt of the brush, an inclined portion forwardly andupwardly extending in general direction of strip feed to lie under thebrush in advance of its butt, and a, rest to support the upper end ofsaid inclined portion to present the brush in operative position.

2. In a strip moistening mechanism, in combination with a reservoir andits support, a brush moistener, and a brush support receivable in andbodily removable from the reservoir, said reservoir being elongated inthe direction of strip movement to permit a markedly inclinedpositioning of the brush, and said brush support having a lower, clipportion to hold the butt of the brush, an inclined portion to lie underthe brush in advance of its butt, a rest to support the upper end ofsaid inclined portion to present the brush in operative position, andmeans adapted positively to interengage the brush support and reservoirto position the support longitudinally.

3. In a strip serving apparatus, a strip moistening element constructedand arranged for unitary insertion into and removal from a reservoir,said element comprising a brush and a brush support, the latterincluding a holder for the brush butt, an inclined backing plate and aplate-supporting foot extending downwardly from the fore part of said`plate, to position the brush in forwardly and upwardly inclinedposition.

4. In a strip serving apparatus, a brush supporting element constructedand arranged for unitary insertion into and removal from a reservoir,said element comprising a receiver for the butt of a brush, an inclinedbacking plate extending forwardly and upwardly from said receiver, andan integral rest at the fore part of the plate to support the inclinedportion at a given angle with the horizontal.

5. In a strip serving mechanism, in combination with a support for a,strip supply, guide means providing a service path for the strip fromthe supply, a reservoir for liquid, a strip guiding roller rotatablysupported adjacent the reservoir, a strip-moistening brush having itsbutt end in the reservoir and its fore end underlying said roller, and abodily removable brush support including an inclined backing plate, aholder for the butt of the brush and a plate-supporting foot at the forepart of said plate, whereby the brush is operatively positioned at aforward and upward inclination and with its fore part in cooperativestrip-moistening relation with said guiding roller.

RUSSELL W. PHILLIPS.

